Aldermen approved new city regulations Tuesday for ensuring adequate conditions exist at residential assisted-care group homes, which have sparked complaints from Natchez residents.
The Natchez Board of Aldermen and Mayor Dan Gibson on Tuesday held a hearing to get public feedback, but no one spoke up before aldermen adopted the ordinance.
Gibson has expressed concerns about several residential neighborhood houses in Natchez becoming commercial ventures where vulnerable adults are allegedly being abused. The mayor noted he has a “special-needs” brother.
There’s currently one licensed residential personal-care group home in Natchez and several others that should be licensed, said city Planning & Zoning Director Mingo Tingle. Alderman Curtis Moroney said there are several that are public nuisances with unruly occupants that have prompted complaints from residents in his central Natchez ward, which includes neighborhoods in the Winchester Road, Duncan Park and Montebello areas.
While the state Department of Health regulates residential personal-care homes, the local ordinance is needed because “oversight by the state was lacking,” Tingle said. Alderman Billie Joe Frazier noted it’ll be a challenge for city officials taking steps needed to enforce the new regulations.
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